Fighting Giant Salvinia With Weevils

Earlier this year, a group of volunteers from the Cypress Basin chapter of the Texas Master Naturalists helped distribute weevils in an effort to combat the invasive giant salvinia on Caddo Lake.

Under the direction of Lee Eisenberg, 45 large plastic totes were filled with weevil-infested salvinia from the Morley Hudson Greenhouse, loaded onto several boats then transported to Willowson's Woodyard where they were released.

The empty totes were then filled with fresh salvinia to replenish the greenhouse supply where weevils continue to reproduce.

In some areas where weevils had previously been placed, the damage to the thick salvinia mat was evident.

Caddo is absolutely beautiful. Taking part in something that is actively helping to reclaim the lake from this highly invasive plant was an incredible experience. It was hard, messy work but so rewarding!

All of the images below show Giant Salvinia growing wildly and have covered all of the waterway. All of these green areas used to be open water.